Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Portland

Shops that make and sell individualized, eclectic hand-made jewelry in the Portland, Oregon area

Auden — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:21:07 -0800

Shops that make and sell individualized, eclectic hand-made jewelry in the Portland, Oregon area? (... X-mas gift help request) It's Christmas and I'm agonizing over my 60-something Mom's gift, my original plans having fallen though.

Mom is now of the age and attitude ("When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat which doesn't go") where she likes to wear the occasional dramatic unusual, artistic jewelry. So I'm thinking of finding her a necklace (under 150$), something hand-made, arty, brash/dramatic/eclectic/unique. (I have no idea if this price limitation is unrealistic, but that's my budget)

I'm looking for local crafts-people or shops where I could look for this kind of jewelry in the Portland, Oregon area. (and a big thanks in advance!)

Brighten my yuletide

dchrssyr — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:53:34 -0800

I am spending Christmas Day alone in Portland, OR. What should I do with myself? I will happily volunteer somewhere and I am open to suggestions for good volunteer gigs (or better yet, actual leads/contacts) from PDXers. Volunteering isn't likely to take up the whole day, though, and I'd really like to keep myself busy and my mind off of being alone. Any and all suggestions welcome.

Bait-and-Switch or ineptitude?... WTF Travelocity!?

blueberry — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:27:45 -0800

Buying a ticket to Bangkok—is there a dependable online ticket-searching service that is all about getting the truly cheapest fare? Skinflint-In-Coach.com? Argh!, I spent over an hour today working on the Travelocity site, trying to find a low-priced ticket from Portland to Bangkok. After noodling around with my Portland/Bangkok departure dates I finally found a reasonably priced ticket that I could afford. However when I clicked to order it Travelocity said Sorry, that ticket's not available, please go pick another one—all of the other tickets being at least $500 more. (And annoyingly, when I went back to look at the other tickets, that cheaper un-buyable ticket was still listed as being available)

So, I tried Kayak.com and found that while it searches across four different ticket sites, each site finds fares that differ from each other by thousands of dollars. That is, each site is saying "This is the absolute cheapest flight out there" but actually the ticket prices vary from $1900 to $4000. To my mind, there should be only one "cheapest flight"—you know, hence the "-est" suffix.

So tell me hive mind, is there one ticket-finding site that
A: doesn't advertise tickets that it doesn't have (Travelocity), and
B: searches all flights all through one interface—so you don't have to dig through several different sites and windows wasting time with their laughable ideas of what they call "the cheapest flight"?

[For reference, I'm looking to leave PDX on Dec 9th, and leave BKK on any of the days between Dec 31 and Jan 3]

Where would you take a friend out for steak in downtown Portland?

pdxgirl42 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:02:38 -0800

Where should I take a friend out for steak in Portland? It needs to be in the downtown/Pearl/NW area. I'm looking for someplace not too expensive (under $150 for the two of us), not too stuffy or corporate feeling, and if they have a rib eye, that would be superb! Any recommendations?

What stereotypes do people hold about Portland, OR?

thinman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:06:11 -0800

What common assumptions and stereotypes do people have regarding the city and residents of Portland, Oregon? And regarding Oregon in general? It'd help to know where respondents are from.

First Dates in Portland Oregon

captainsohler — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:34:46 -0800

In the need of first date ideas, particularly in Portland, Oregon. This would be a good spot to reminisce on first dates that worked; or heck, even disasters, but I am especially interested in active dates--ones that are lacking in the "sitting across from each other while picking at a meal, wondering what to say next" quotient. Extra points for active first date ideas in Portland, OR.

Thanks so much!

Make our house a fortress.

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:39:30 -0800

Our house was broken into yesterday. I'd like to prevent this from happening again. Yesterday, sometime between the hours of 8 AM and 6 PM, our house was broken into. There is a small window on the front of the house that opens into the master bedroom. It's one of these windows with the hinges on the bottom and it folds inward, into the house. It's secured from the inside with only a shim (a piece of wood wedged between the window and the frame). The burglar moved the porch furniture away from the window and must have tried to push the window in, but because of the resistance from the shim, the window just completely shattered. This must have caused the burglar to flee, because nothing (as it appears) was taken. The sound of the breaking glass plus the whole broad daylight in a family neighborhood thing must have sent him running.

The whole thing has gotten me and my partner pretty shook up. It was, after all, the window right above our bed - and the glass destroyed one of our aloe plants (so sad). I know that if someone wants in bad enough, they can figure out a way in - but I'd like to thwart at least the feeble attempts.

What kinds of things can we do to secure our house? There are obvious things: we don't have latches or screens on our windows, as most of our windows are out of reach, so we are going to do that - but that won't stop someone from just breaking the window. We're not really well-off enough to afford a full-fledged alarm system, so we're trying to try all the other, sort of DIY, creative avenues first, if we can.

What sorts of things do you do to make your house safe and secure? What are some unconventional things we could do? Cacti in the windows? Motion detectors? Trip wires? Other resources you can direct us to?

If it makes any difference, we live in Northeast Portland, Oregon. We don't own the house - we rent it from someone who currently lives in Europe. It's possible he would pay for a comprehensive alarm system, but that won't happen anytime in the very near future.

SWM seeks casual encounters with Piano - you must host!

Lutoslawski — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:49:59 -0800

Where in Portland, OR might I go to practice piano...for free/cheap?? I am a pianist without a piano. I have a decent keyboard, but it's just not the same at all. I'd really like to find somewhere I could practice just a couple times a week on a real piano. Preferably, I'd like to do this for free; though I might be able to scrounge up some pocket change.

I've had access to a piano my entire life (home, college), but now that I have graduated college I find myself piano-less - and I'm poverty poor so I can't afford to buy one; nor do I want to acquire a free one on Craigslist, as most would require a lot of maintenance - and besides, I don't really have anywhere to put a piano at the moment anyway.

Any suggestions? Do universities/community colleges ever offer some sort of "practice room membership" thing? Do you know of any rehearsal spaces with good pianos that aren't too spendy??

Thanks in advance everyone!!

I need plastic surgery on my nipple!

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:32:34 -0800

Need to find a plastic surgeon in Portland, OR to do some simple but delicate work. I have a skin tag on one of my nipples, and I'm going to try to have a baby soon, so it needs to go if I want to breastfeed. Can anyone recommend someone in the Portland area who does this kind of thing? I don't think it will be a difficult procedure, but it's important that it's done right, you know?

Knife Sharpening

DrGirlfriend — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:04:23 -0800

Any recommendations for a good knife sharpening place in Portland, OR? I'd like to take my kitchen knives to be professionally sharpened. The few spots I find by Googling seem to either be out of business, have so-so reviews, or are too far for me to get to using public transportation (I am currently without a car). Any good places within Portland? Downtown or close-in NE a plus, but not required - if TriMet or MAX can get me there, I'll be fine.

Does this dress make me look fat? How about these running shoes ?

iamabot — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:46:41 -0800

Why were 100-200 (I think) people (mostly men) wearing red cocktail dresses chasing two people in bunny costumes laying a flour/chalk running trail through downtown Portland this past weekend? While visiting Portland this weekend we were driving through downtown and happened upon the above described scene. Our friends who live in the city didn't know (but they've only been there 2 years).

Sooo, any ideas? Quick google action indicates it might be the Red Dress PDX, group but I didn't see anything listed for this past weekend...

I'd like to learn to dance

2oh1 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:49:36 -0800

I'm a single guy living in downtown Portland. I'd like to learn to dance. Swing? Ballroom? What should I learn and where can I learn it? I'm a bit of a romantic sap, and so, the idea of taking a date out for an evening of dancing seems like something I'd really enjoy. But first, I should learn to dance, right? I have no skills whatsoever. Seriously. NONE. But I'm a can-do sort of guy who wants to learn, so point me in the right direction :)

I have no idea what I should learn. Swing? Ballroom? Something else? I'm looking for a fun and relatively easy starting point for a guy with two left feet.

I don't have a car, so options that are downtown or accessible by mass transit are what I'm hoping for, especially if the mass transit is the streetcar or MAX.

Any and all advice is welcome! Thanks!

Looking for a great therapist in Portland, OR.

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:15:08 -0800

Please recommend a therapist in Portland, Oregon. I've been taking medication for a little over a year, prescribed to me by a psychiatric nurse practitioner. The medications have worked wonders, but I've come to the point that I'd like to try therapy. My current psychiatric nurse practitioner doesn't really do therapy, and while he has been very helpful, I don't think he would make a good regular therapist for me. I need to continue taking medicine, but I can keep getting the prescription through the RN, so the therapist need not have prescribing powers.

A few caveats:

-my big issues are depression, anxiety and a general difficulty enjoying/getting through life.

-I'm generally skeptical of therapy and the ability of therapy to really be helpful. Part of the reason for this may be because I had really not-so-great experiences with therapy when I tried it in college. I saw several therapists at student health services and they were just awful - I felt treated like a big inconvenience, more than anything, and their advice was usually, "just take a mental health leave," (I didn't), which was not really helpful advice.

-I'm a male, but I tend to have kind of a hard time talking to other men, to say nothing of discussing deep, personal issues with a man. Thus, I would prefer a female therapist. I would just be more comfortable.

-I have insurance through Providence, if it matters. I live close-in; however, convenience is not a huge deal. I'm willing to make the jaunt if the therapy is worth it.

Thank you all in advance.

Gluten free pizza in Portland?

mattbucher — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:47:47 -0800

Can you recommend a pizza place in Portland, Oregon, that has gluten-free options? I am just visiting Portland, so I don't know many places to eat. My son cannot eat gluten, but I'm craving pizza. Are there any pizza joints in town that offer gluten-free dough? Thanks!

I don't like Powell's / I love it (Hipster Holiday)

Blazecock Pileon — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:08:16 -0800

What should I do in Portland towards the end of October? The last time I was in Portland, I went to the Japanese Gardens, Powell's Books, and Voodoo Doughnuts. I went to a Peruvian restaurant whose name escapes me that was pretty decent. What other sights, sounds, tastes and restaurants would you recommend for someone visiting this city at the end of the month for two nights and three days? If the weather is halfway decent, what local bike rental shops and scenic trails would you recommend?

How can I get really high in Portland, Oregon?

synthedelic — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:38:57 -0800

How can I get really high in Portland, Oregon? I would like an aerial view of this city. I do not have access to a plane. I've yet to ride the tram, but I don't think that will get me high enough. Ideally, I'd like to climb to the top of the tallest building downtown. Will they let me do that? I'd also appreciate hearing about your favorite lookout spots and any other stunning views.

Biking in the rain

rabbitrabbit — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:19:51 -0800

Questions about bike gear for the rainy season. I live in the Portland, OR area and I've been biking to work since April. So, I'm about to hit my first rainy season and I would like to arm myself to successfully continue biking at least into the fall and hopefully through winter, too.

SHOES: My main question is about shoes that make biking in the rain not a chore. I have been using toe clips and Converse all-stars this summer, but that will absolutely not work with the rain, so I'm going to need to either get waterproof shoe covers, or buy waterproof shoes. And if I buy waterproof shoes, maybe I ought to just upgrade to clipless pedals and shoes? Also, I think I like the velcro straps so I don't have to deal with laces, but I'm not entirely sure what the pros/cons are there.

JACKET: I have a chartreuse bike jacket that has been good for cooler mornings, and it dries fast so it will be good for early on in the fall, but I am going to eventually need some kind of heavier jacket, I think. But I'm afraid that anything heavier will = more sweat, which I don't want (no shower at work). Is there something warm, waterproof, breathable, AND visible that I can get?

FENDERS: I ride a Specialized Crossroads, so it has the overlap. I kicked out my front fender early on in the summer and haven't yet replaced it because it's been unnecessary so far, but I'm going to need a new front fender or maybe one of those things that attaches to the front tube (not sure what it's called exactly) to deflect water. If I get a new fender, I guess it will need to be super-tough since I don't 100% trust myself not to kick it by accident again. Do those things that attach to the bike instead of the wheel work well, would that be a good option?

What other things do I need to bike in the rain? Waterproof gloves? A helmet liner? Goggles which don't let rain bead up on them? Etc.

I've seen this and I've seen this, and both were helpful though they're a bit old now; is there new stuff out there that is awesome?

Also, any recommendations for a bike shop to buy this stuff at? I've heard River City is good. I would love to be able to try out the clipless pedals before I buy, is there any shop which would let me do that?

football watching in portland or

otio — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:41:55 -0800

Looking for a place to watch the Pats/Bills game tonight in Portland, OR. Any suggestions? Doesn't necessarily have to be a "sports bar" just a friendly place with a few tvs and a good beer selection would do the trick. Previously but the info is probably out of date. Kingston's was mentioned there and is certainly a candidate but wanted to see if anybody had any other suggestions. I'm in SW but would be willing to drive a bit out of my way. Thanks.

Finding a rental in Portland OR

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:36:34 -0800

How crazy am I to rent a place in Portland, Oregon without seeing it first? I'm moving to Portland next month, hurray! (Yes I have a job there, but this is anonymous because it's not quite official on both sides yet.)

I'll have my family (spouse, kids, dog) in tow and cannot get into town before we arrive without super complicated family logistics and huge expense.

I know Portland enough to know the neighborhoods I'd like to live in, really based on the schools I'd like my kids to attend. I can look around various neighborhoods on Google Maps, and I've been using Portland Maps to get information on various houses and neighborhoods.

I have a friend in Portland who will, I think, be glad to visit places we are serious about renting. I'm also wondering if I might be able to hire someone to do this for me so as not to burden my friend.

My goal is to minimize disruption for my kids especially, and to get them enrolled in school as soon as possible, and for that, we need an address. So ideally I'd have someplace for us to live before we arrive in town.

The alternative would be for all of us to live in a hotel for a week or longer, until I can find us someplace. I worry I'd be so pressured to get into any house that we'd have to compromise or else be stuck in a hotel.

But is it crazy to sign a lease without seeing the rental? If you have done this, did it work out okay? And do you have any suggestions for making it less crazy? (Like perhaps asking for an three month lease to start.)

Email is leasingwithoutseeing@gmail.com

SF to Portland Roadtrip

mrunderhill — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:21:39 -0800

Pacific Northwest Roadtrip: SF to Portland and back. 6 days. Which roads to take? Which towns and parks do we have to see? Your favorite spots along 1? We're interested in anything and everything. Thanks!

I've got my bags all packed and I'm ready to go...except...

too bad you're not me — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:46:34 -0800

What's the cheapest way to move from Southern California to Portland, OR? Asking for my sister, who is moving from Orange County, CA to Portland, OR in a week. She's got a job and a place to live, but is super frustrated by finding the cheapest way to get all her stuff there. She just bought new furniture (not knowing she'd be moving soon), so leaving her stuff behind or selling it is not an option. She is really only moving the things from her bedroom, plus a few items from the kitchen. Not a huge amount of stuff, really.

She is looking to spend somewhere between 600-700, but is a bit flexible (the cheaper the better, obviously). Everywhere she's looked (i.e. professional movers, freight trucks, rental cars, U-Haul, etc) is at LEAST 900-1,200. Has anyone done this move, have any tips or ideas?

Help a sista out? (Literally!)

Where can i park on the cheap in downtown Portland, Maine?

Willy Wombat — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:56:41 -0800

I will be staying in Portland, ME at a hotel near the intersection of Congress and Forest. Hotel parking is in a garage nearby and naturally it's an additional charge. Any suggestions for places I might park for less than 20 bucks? The free-er the better.

Tips for a train trip across the West.

the jam — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:00:53 -0800

In September, I've got 10 days to see everything I can see from Minneapolis to Portland, OR along the route of Amtrak's Empire Builder. Know anything about these places? I'm looking for some Metafilter reconnaissance about my route. My vague plans so far:

Camping at the Minnesota State Fair

Camping in Glacier National Park, being eaten by bears

Another yet-to-be-determined stopover in Idaho or Washington

Powell's Books, Stumptown Coffee in Portland

That's all I have so far. While I'm a fan of winging it, I'd still appreciate any suggestions of things to see, hikes to take, sites to camp, friendly coffee shops and bars in the cities, or anything you can throw at me, really -- this is my first time visiting this part of the country.

Good Vibrations : San Francisco :: ________ : Portland, Oregon

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:31:45 -0800

Good Vibrations : San Francisco :: ________ : Portland, Oregon (and other reasons to fall in love with Portland) I'll be visiting Portland next week (Sunday-Thursday), and since I'm from a small, vibratorless town, I figured I'd take advantage of the visit to a large city to give myself a nice birthday present.

Other, non- adult toy store Portland suggestions are also welcome, though I see that they have been covered before. I'll be on a bicycle, and I have a preference for inexpensive non-touristy suggestions. Tell me of your favorite small little vegetarian restaurant, the comfiest fair/direct-trade coffee shop, your favorite park, that infamous house on the corner of streets A and B that I should walk past to appreciate for reason C, awesome local events/gatherings X, Y, or Z that I should know about that are happening this particular week?

Many thanks and much love!

Portland, OR restaurant recommendations

ga$money — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:17:32 -0800

Looking for Portland, OR restaurant recommendations (I've read the previous posts on this topic). I've read through the other posts on restaurants and dining in Portland, but they're either fairly old or not specific to what I'm looking for. Mrs. Ga$money and I are going to spend a long weekend in Portland in October for our first year anniversary, and I'm looking for a few good restaurant recommendations, particularly places with exciting newer chefs working with local or seasonal ingredients. I'm definitely not looking for something snooty or where I'm paying for setting and attitude. To give a sense of what I'm talking about, in Seattle it would be the Corson Building, Restaurant Zoe, or one of Tom Douglas's restaurants, but definitely not the Canlis. I'm looking for a night that's memorable because we had great food, not because we bled money pretending we're part of the aristocracy.